Social Question

What does it mean when I've eaten plenty, but my stomach's telling me I'm still hungry?

This morning I had two biscuits for breakfast. I was STARVING by 6pm. I heated up 2 slices of pizza. Ate one, and most of the second, then I was done. That’s always been plenty of pizza for me, and I didn’t feel like eating any more, but my stomach is still feeling hungry.
Why is that? It’s annoying!

13 Answers

Sounds like most fast food meals, especially McDonald’s – but not limited to.

You really get hungry after Chinese, but again, not limited to.

The current thought is it is due to certain types of carbohydrates with a high Glycemic Index (GI).
For many years, it was thought that monosodium glutamate (MSG), a commonly used ingredient in Chinese fast food, was responsible for the rapid return of hunger. However, this is no longer considered the case.

Instead, many scientists now believe this is due to certain types of carbohydrates found in rice and pasta. With a high glycemic index, the body needs to produce extra insulin, thereby causing a drop in blood sugar.

A short answer to that question is the fact that you ate fast-food. Fast food is almost always extremely calorie-dense, due to the high fat and sugar content that most fast foods undoubtedly have.

Carbohydrates (sugars): around 4.3 calories per gram

protein: around 4.1 calories per gram

fats: around 9 calories per gram

In short, it all adds up very fast. Fats and proteins do not effeciently provide the body with usable energy; the most easily broken down fuel source is carbohydrates. Since Carbohydrates contain about half of the calories as an equal amount of fat, you can thus have a much larger volume of carbohydrates and consume the same amount of calories.

The bottom line is that natural foods (not fast-food) is going to be much less calorie-dense, and therefore give you a lot more energy, while at the same time keeping you full.

It probably means your definition of “plenty” is skewed or incomplete.

Here is a list of foods that are mostly good (better) for you and will make you feel full. I’m not implying anything about you by pointing you to this particular source.

Additionally, it’s generally better to eat a big breakfast and get upwards of 30% of your breakfast calories from protein. This will benefit you in the evening, because you won’t be as hungry as a result.

It’s also known that willpower diminishes in the evening, because blood glucose is depleted throughout the day and is a factor that affects willpower. If you are low in the evening, you will have less control over how much you eat.